Riu Palace Costa Rica, Matapalo (Guanacaste) - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

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About the Resort

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

Riu Palace Costa Rica is a striking resort located on the edge of Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste, notable for its distinctive white domes and Art Deco design. This recently established property is positioned in a beautiful coastal setting, offering guests a combination of relaxation and exploration. The resort's extensive facilities and exceptional dining experiences are crafted by talented chefs, blending classic and exotic cuisines. With a wellness center and a proximity to local attractions, it caters to both leisure and business travelers seeking a memorable stay.

Location

Riu Palace Costa Rica is conveniently situated 35 km from Liberia, providing easy access to local attractions. Nearby landmarks such as Guacamaya Beach and The Monkey Farm offer guests opportunities for exploration and adventure. The resort's beachfront location enhances its appeal, allowing for water activities like scuba diving. Shuttles and transport connections are readily available for guests to navigate the area effortlessly.

Rooms

The resort features 538 spacious guestrooms equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay. Notable features include 24-hour room service, laptop-compatible safes, and free WiFi, along with air conditioning for a relaxing environment. Some rooms offer balconies with ocean views, allowing guests to enjoy the stunning sunsets. Additionally, guests can find linens, mirrors, sofas, and towels in their rooms for added convenience.

Eat & Drink

Offering a rich array of culinary choices, the resort boasts multiple onsite restaurants including four themed a la carte restaurants that require reservations. Guests can indulge in classic and exotic dishes, with all meals and drinks included in the all-inclusive package. The resort also features Lounge 24, which is open 24 hours and provides snacks and beverages. Signature offerings include local brands of drinks, ensuring guests have a taste of Costa Rica.

Leisure & Business

The resort assures ample recreational opportunities with four outdoor swimming pools, including a relaxation pool and a swim-up bar pool. A wellness center, 'Renova Spa', offers various treatments and massages for guests seeking rejuvenation. Additionally, the resort features a well-equipped fitness center and tennis courts for those looking to stay active. The RiuLand kids' club provides indoor and outdoor activities, ensuring fun for younger guests as well.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Junior Suite

Max:

2 persons

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

Explore available ways to reach your dream destination

City Centre

Matapalo (Guanacaste)300 m

Airports

Liberia (LIR) 30.3 km

Tamarindo (TNO) 37.2 km

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Variety of Options

During my stay, I was thoroughly impressed by the dining options available at Riu Palace Costa Rica. The buffet spread was extensive, with everything from pizza and sushi to traditional Costa Rican dishes. Each meal felt like a feast, and I loved that there was always a new variety to explore. I particularly enjoyed the themed dinner nights that highlighted different cuisines, making each evening a good culinary adventure.

Amelia567. United Kingdom, 2024-03-15Read full review on

Relaxing Spa Experience

I took my first day at the resort to indulge in a body scrub at the spa, and it was a fantastic decision! The spa staff were incredibly welcoming and did an excellent job. I came out feeling rejuvenated and ready to enjoy the sun. It's a must-do for anyone looking for relaxation during their stay at this beautiful resort!

Jade2123. Australia, 2024-02-20Read full review on

Comfortable Rooms

My room was a junior suite with a lovely garden view. It was spacious and came with a fantastic patio that enhanced my stay. The large shower and jacuzzi bath made all the difference after a day under the sun. The room was cleaned daily, contributing to a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere throughout my visit.

Steven27. Canada, 2024-04-25Read full review on

Fantastic Entertainment

The entertainment options were a highlight of my experience. Each evening, there was a variety of shows that kept guests engaged and entertained. The animation team clearly loved their jobs; their energy brought a lively atmosphere to the resort. We enjoyed joining in on games and themed events by the poolside—it truly made our stay nice.

Jonathan456. United States, 2024-05-10Read full review on

What’s included

General

Smoking allowed in designated areas
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
24-hour reception
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Luggage storage
Lift
ATM/Cash machine
Sundry/Convenience shop
Gift/Newsstand
Beauty salon
Coffee shop

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Kayaking
Tennis
Fitness studio

Services

24-hour room service
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Grocery shopping service
Bell staff/Porter

Dining

Continental breakfast
Restaurant
Poolside snack bar
Coffee/Tea in lobby
Free breakfast
Buffet breakfast

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Paid babysitting/ Child services
Children's pool

Facilities for people with disabilities

Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach umbrellas
Beach towels
Sun loungers
Casino
Night club
Garden area
Television in lobby
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Turkish bath
Jacuzzi

Room features

Air conditioning
In-room safe
Mini-bar
Terrace
Balcony

Media

Television
Telephone
AM/FM alarm clock

Location

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

Map view

Playa Matapalo - Sardinal, Matapalo (Guanacaste), Costa Rica, 0000

City landmarks

Farm

The Monkey Farm

3.1 km

25 meters from Ocotal Beach

Los Almendros de Ocotal

3.5 km

Beach

Ocotal Beach Club

3.4 km

Monkey Trail

The Congo Trail

4.0 km

Cementerio Nuevo Colon

3.7 km

Iglesia de Nuevo Colon

4.1 km

Guacamaya Beach

4.8 km

Church

Iglesia Catolica de Playas del Coco

5.9 km

Gallery

Rojas Bros Boruca Indigenous Arts

6.1 km

Coco Beach Hotel

Alessandra Cola Art

6.0 km

Restaurants

Langosta Feliz Marisqueria

840 m

Restaurant

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

70%

liked the resort and would come back again

Beautiful surroundings

Spacious, clean rooms

Loud weekend crowds

Limited dining options

7.0/10

Very good

Rooms

6.8

Location

8.3

Service

7.8

Dining

5.3

Jeff

United States, January 2025

8.2/10

I had an amazing stay at this Riu hotel! The service was top-notch, especially from Diana at the front desk, and the variety of food was delightful. The nighttime entertainment added a fun touch, although the beach could have been nicer. Overall, I felt the hotel offered great value for money with excellent drinks and beautiful accommodations, but I would recommend some improvements to the beach area.

Rooms

9.0

The deluxe room we stayed in was extremely nice with stunning views, featuring a private balcony overlooking the rainforest.

Service

8.0

Service was largely excellent, with standout staff like Diana and Filipe, although some staff could be more welcoming.

Location

7.0

The resort is set in a beautiful area of Costa Rica, surrounded by well-landscaped gardens and natural beauty, although the beach isn't as inviting as I hoped.

Dining

8.0

Dining was a highlight, with a good selection of food at the buffets and restaurants, but I would have loved more breakfast options.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were clean and well-maintained, with a bright gym and a fun waterslide park that exceeded my expectations.

Alan

United States, October 2024

5.4/10

If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, this hotel offers plenty of party vibes and beach fun. However, the rooms we experienced had quite a few cleanliness issues and an unpleasant odor. While the dining options were disappointingly low quality, the beach and nearby excursions saved our vacation. It’s definitely more suited for those wanting to indulge in drinks and social scenes rather than luxury or comfort.

Rooms

5.0

Unfortunately, the rooms had a musty smell and weren’t as clean as expected, with hairs found on the sheets.

Service

7.0

Staff members were helpful, especially Daniel at the front desk, who arranged a room change for us.

Location

9.0

The hotel is situated in beautiful surroundings right by the beach, making it a great spot for day excursions.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were quite poor, with food quality resembling cafeteria fare, very disappointing for a supposed 5-star hotel.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel has decent amenities, including various bars and pool areas, but they can feel chaotic.

Gene

United States, September 2024

7.0/10

I recently had a fantastic holiday at the Riu Palace that I will never forget. The hotel had something for everyone, with a variety of pools and lots of entertaining activities. The staff were exceptional, and the outdoor environment was breathtaking, especially the wildlife. However, I would advise against this place for those seeking a luxury experience or extensive dining options, as there were some shortcomings in food quality and room condition.

Rooms

6.0

The rooms were not up to the luxury standard you'd expect, with some issues like musty smells and wear. However, they were cleaned every day, which was a plus.

Service

9.0

The staff were super helpful and responsive. They accommodated our requests promptly, especially at the reception, and tried their best to make our stay pleasant.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a relatively secluded area right by the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by beautiful nature. The volcanic beach was not crowded, which made for a peaceful atmosphere.

Dining

5.0

Dining was a major letdown; the choice of food was limited and did not meet the expectations of a 5-star resort. The buffet felt more like cafeteria food, and we found better meals while on excursions.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had a great variety of facilities like pools and activities. However, some areas showed signs of wear and could use updates to match the aesthetic of a palace.

United States, August 2024

7.8/10

I had a lovely stay at this hotel with its stunning surroundings and well-maintained rooms. The staff was warm and welcoming, contributing to a great experience. However, the busy weekends with loud groups and some dining options could definitely use improvement. The pools were fantastic, and the lounge areas were comfortable, making it a cozy getaway overall.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and clean, with great amenities like air conditioning and a daily replenished minibar. I particularly loved the balcony overlooking the lush garden.

Service

7.0

The service was attentive, with staff always smiling and eager to help. However, I did experience a minor issue where my drink was moved at lunch without a resolution.

Location

8.0

The hotel is set in a beautiful, isolated area, perfect for unwinding. It offers access to a beach with a unique view, although it can get crowded during certain times.

Dining

7.0

Dining options were varied, but I found some restaurants to be underwhelming, especially the steakhouse that lacked vegetarian options. The buffet provided ample choices though.

Facilities

8.0

Facilities like the pools were excellent, with plenty of loungers available, but I would have preferred a quieter adult-only pool option.

Beautiful surroundings

Loud weekend crowds